Battle of Rapallo

Last updated
Battle of Rapallo
Part of the First Italian War
Date5 September 1494
Location
Result Franco-Milanese victory [1]
Belligerents
Pavillon royal de la France.svg  France
Flag of Milan.svg  Milan
Flag of Genoa.svg  Genoa
Bandera de Napoles - Trastamara.svg Kingdom of Naples
Commanders and leaders
Pavillon royal de la France.svg Louis d'Orleans Bandera de Napoles - Trastamara.svg Giulio Orsini  (POW)
Strength
3,000 Swiss mercenaries
Genoese-Milanese infantry
4,000 Neapolitan
Casualties and losses
Giulio Orsini(Captured)
Fregosino Campofregoso(Captured)

The Battle of Rapallo, was fought between Swiss mercenaries on French pay and their Genoese-Milanese allies led by Louis d'Orleans against Neapolitan forces led by Giulio Orsini on 5 September 1494 near Rapallo. [2]

Rapallo was occupied by 4,000 Neapolitan troops on 3 September 1494 with Giulio Orsini, Obietto Fieschi, and Fregosino Campofregoso in command, their plan being to force a rebellion in Genoa. Later the Neapolitan fleet was forced away by bad weather. [2] On 5 September, [3] Louis d'Orleans landed with 1,000 Swiss mercenary infantry which was later reinforced overland by 2,000 more Swiss mercenaries and a contingent of Genoese-Milanese infantry. [2]

A skirmish broke out between the Swiss mercenaries and Neapolitan forces, though the terrain did not allow for the Swiss to form up their pike squares. [2] However, the battle was mainly fought between the Genoese-Milanese and Neapolitan infantry. [2] Following concentrated artillery fire from the French fleet, the Neapolitans were routed. [2] The Swiss massacred Neapolitans trying to surrender, [3] although Orsini and Campofregoso were captured in the retreat. [2]

After the battle the Swiss mercenaries killed the enemy wounded and sacked the town of Rapallo. [2] Though a small battle, it was seen as a significant victory which halted Neapolitan attempts to incite a rebellion in Genoa against the French. [2]

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